SPFL has passed a resolution to end the 2019-20 season across the whole of Scotland and this has been done so they can start paying out the allocated prize money to all the clubs.
Various clubs across Scotland are in desperate need of this money and this decision will surely be beneficial for all of them. But it looks like SPFL now just can’t wash their hands and think their job is over.
UEFA has obviously changed its stance regarding the ending of leagues and is now willing to consider the decision of the smaller leagues to wrap up the season early.
But still, there are two big reasons why SPFL will still have to finish the remaining matches in their top division to ensure their big clubs are not hampered by it.
The first and foremost reason why the remaining matches will have to be played is that UEFA wants the continental qualification to based on sporting merit only.
In a recent statement, UEFA has said: “As a result of representations made by the football authorities in Belgium and Scotland, the Committee recognises the issues raised and approved the Guidelines on eligibility principles for 2020/21 UEFA club competitions. The Guidelines reflect the principle that admission to UEFA club competitions is always based on sporting merit.
“Therefore, UEFA urges National Associations and Leagues to explore all possible options to play all top domestic competitions giving access to UEFA club competitions to their natural conclusion. However, UEFA stresses that the health of players, spectators and all those involved in football, as well as the public at large, must remain the primary concern at this time.
“The ideal scenario, should the pandemic situation permit it, is to have the currently suspended domestic competitions completed enabling football clubs to qualify for UEFA club competitions on sporting merit in their original format.
“Should this outcome not be possible, in particular, due to calendar issues, it would be preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit.”
So in an ideal scenario if the Premiership season is not fully finished then there’s every chance both Rangers and Celtic might miss out on European football during the 2020-21 season.
The second reason why SPFL might have no other option but to restart the Premiership is due to the fact that the disease might now be “in its peak” in Scotland as well as the other parts of United Kingdom.
“These figures for hospital admissions and admissions to intensive care are really encouraging and they’re cause for optimism – still cautious optimism – but optimism nevertheless,” Scotland first minister, Nicola Sturgeon said, as reported by the Guardian.
UK:
• London’s hospitals now have fewer covid patients with each day 👍
• Rate of increase slowing elsewhere across UK
• Suggests UK may be at or near peak for new infections pic.twitter.com/vvKEbl6LPg— John Burn-Murdoch (@jburnmurdoch) April 16, 2020
So if the curve keeps going down in Scotland in the coming few weeks as well then the SPFL will surely have to look into the prospect of finishing the remaining matches – at least in their top division.
Also, there’s a chance UEFA might allow the likes of Scotland, Serbia and Belgium relief since they are much smaller leagues but surely they would want these countries to find out a way to fully warp up their leagues or else there’s every chance these countries might not be represented in Europe next season.
